Singapore, Australia foster comprehensive cooperation

Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop (Photo: AP)

Sydney (VNA) – Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop, Defence Minister Marise Payne and Trade and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo visited Singapore on August 21-22.

The visit aimed to bolster the comprehensive strategic partnership between Singapore and Australia, and Australia’s economic, security and defence interests in the region.

The three ministers will meet with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss closer cooperation in bilateral relations and regional forums, including the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Singaporean Ministers will chair the 10th meeting of the biennial Singapore – Australia Joint Ministers Committee, which started in 1996. In the meeting, the two countries will seek to promote bilateral cooperation and exchange views on regional economic and strategic issues.

During the visit, the two countries will hold a high-level women’s dialogue, sign memoranda of understanding on tourism cooperation and a treaty to enable the Singapore Air Force to continue training at the Royal Australia Air Force Base Pearce in Australia.

Singapore is Australia’s key partner in Southeast Asia, being its fifth biggest trade and investment partner and largest in the region. The two countries have held joint military exercises and cooperated in technology, science and intelligence.-VNA